A CONTENTIOUS application for change of use of land for the stationing of gypsy caravans on land west of Brambles on Willis Lane, Four Marks, has been given the go-ahead despite fierce opposition.

The application stimulated strong debate during last Thursday’s meeting of East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) planning committee, eventually scraping through thanks to a casting vote by vice-chairman Anthony Williams.

Under regulations defined by the Localism Act, the chairman, Four Marks and Medstead representative Ingrid Thomas, had to withdraw from the debate and was not allowed to vote.

While folk felt the site to be unsustainable and pointed out that Four Marks already had two similar sites that were not fully used, the fear was that, as already proven with the nearby Janeland gypsy site, a decision to refuse would be difficult to defend at appeal.

Submitted by Mr and Mrs R Rawlings and M Hughes, the application was for the formation of hardstanding and the construction of detached utility/day rooms on a 2,763 square metre site located outside the settlement policy boundary for Four Marks, close to the junction of Willis Lane with Headmore/Telegraph Lane, and on the edge of the South Downs National Park.

The proposal was for two gypsy pitches for two families, providing four caravans – two static and two tourers – plus two utility/day rooms to enable the occupants to minimise the recognised hazards associated with the cooking and fire in the close confines of caravans. They would also provide facilities for washing and bathing and the maintenance of basic hygiene.

It was made clear by the applicants that the development would not be for named occupants but would be for use by the general gypsy/traveller community.

The application had attracted 45 letters of objection from members of the community raising concerns over the inappropriate development of a greenfield site, outside the settlement policy boundary. And questioning the evidence of need for such a site, suggesting that the siting of static mobile homes and buildings suggested that the users would no longer be travelling, and pointing out that there are two similar sites in Four Marks, one of which is little used.

It was, some argued, “the thin end of the wedge”, paving the way for similar unsustainable development of the countryside.

Four Marks Parish Council also questioned the sustainability of the proposed site, pointing out that it was more than one-and-a-half miles from amenities, raising the issue also over the need when one of the existing gypsy/traveller sites in the village was not currently used, adding that three such sites would be “gross over-delivery for Four Marks as a small service centre location”.

Furthermore, while the gypsy and traveller accommodation assessment had identified a need for permanent pitches for gypsies and travellers in the district, the suitability study and allocations process was not yet complete, deeming this application “premature”.

However, EHDC officer recommendation was for permission, with the report pointing out that the proposal would go toward meeting a recognised need for 22 permanent pitches for gypsies and travellers within the district north of the national park up until 2028, although it was acknowledged that the ongoing joint study commissioned by EHDC, Winchester City Council and the South Downs National Park Authority is “still at a relatively early stage” in its remit to help allocate potential sites.

Unlike Four Marks Parish Council, the recommendation considered the site to be within “reasonable distance” to facilities. There were no objections from relative authorities and utilities over access, highways or drainage, and no concerns expressed over the visual impact since the site was said to be well screened.